Astros report: Wright traded to contending Rays

2013 Astros: Game by game

While Rangers righthander Yu Darvish again almost perfectly sliced through the Astros on Monday, a rebuilding club with the lowest active payroll in Major League Baseball got a little cheaper and less experienced.

Veteran lefthanded reliever Wesley Wright was sent to Tampa Bay for cash considerations. In turn, the Astros promoted former starter and Rice standout Philip Humber from Class AAA Oklahoma City.

Wright, 28, was the longest-tenured member of the Astros. He was 0-4 with a 3.92 ERA this year and appeared in a team-high 77 games in 2012.

“It’s tough losing Wesley Wright, just because what it is he’s meant to this organization,” first-year manager Bo Porter said. “Throughout the entire time he’s been here, since 2008, he’s been great in the community, he’s been a great teammate.”

Wright joked Aug. 1 — the day after the non-waiver trade deadline — he wasn’t sure how he’d survived the Astros’ unprecedented rebuild. The youngest team in baseball employs 14 rookies and few recognizable players and is just 8-33 since June 23.

“I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but I’ll take it,” Wright said. “It’s an interesting place to be.”

Now, a struggling Astros bullpen with the majors’ worst save percentage (52) and 21 blown saves features five rookies and two starters-turned-relievers in Lucas Harrell and Humber (0-8, 9.59 ERA this season).

The Astros’ payroll dropped to less than $13 million with Wright’s departure. Veteran lefthander Erik Bedard ($1.1 million) is the only player on the 25-man roster making more than $1 million.

Just say no when it comes to Altuve

At some point, second baseman Jose Altuve will likely learn there are extended benefits to not trying to play 162 games when his ailing body needs rest.

Until then, the Astros plan to control Altuve’s yes-to-everything approach as the organization makes an concerted effort to protect one of its few long-term assets.

“It’s mentally him thinking he’s 100 percent when technically he’s not. … Going to ask him is probably not even an option anymore, because in his mind, he just wants to play every day,” manager Bo Porter said. “From a manager’s standpoint, you appreciate that. But at the same time, there has to be some kind of balance where you’re being honest about your body and how you’re feeling, and it’s evident that he’s not 100 percent.”

Altuve wasn’t in the starting lineup Monday as he continued to deal with a strained left quadriceps. He was thrown out twice during the previous two games while over-running and pushing himself into easy outs, and at times he appeared to be dragging as a defender.

The 2012 All-Star leads the Astros in batting average (.282) and stolen bases (29), is tied for second in games played (107) and is having a solid third season. But the club wants Altuve to be strong in late September, not just the first half of the season. As a result, Porter said the Astros will begin telling their biggest star “no” a little more until Altuve learns how to better pace himself.

“It’s affecting him running the bases; it’s affecting him defensively,” Porter said. “So we’re going to have to take it out of his hands and protect him from himself.”

Ump catches flak from Rangers

Before Carlos Corporan lifted a solo home run to shallow right field with one out in the eighth inning Monday, home plate umpire Ron Kulpa was drawing heat on the field and the Internet.

With Astros rookie Jonathan Villar dealing with a 3-2 count against Yu Darvish with two outs in the sixth and a perfect game on the line, Kulpa called a ball on the next pitch. Rangers catcher A.J. Pierzynski immediately expressed his displeasure and was soon ejected, replaced by Geovany Soto, who guided Darvish to a no-hitter through 71⁄3 innings.

When asked about the 3-2 call after the game, Kulpa told a pool reporter Darvish “had it down.”

“Pierzynski didn’t like the 3-1 pitch that I (called for a ball),” Kulpa said. “We had words about the 3-1 pitch. And then (Darvish) walked (Villar) on the very next pitch, and (Pierzynski) continued to argue on the pitch before, and he got ejected.”